Need help choosing Linux distro..

[CC_Pirate]

I've been reading around quite a bit but I can't seem to figure out what distro is best for me, or if there is a difference at all.

I plan on running dual boot on my new laptop (HP nc8430, Intel Core Duo). I want to have Linux on my machine because i do quite a bit of programming (I am a Computer Science student), which often is a lot easier to do in a Unix environment, and I'm tired of using Cygwin.

I have never used Linux before. I don't need a ton of bells and whistles with the distribution, but it has to be rather easy to install and use, decent hardware support, and programming-friendly (I don't know if that varies between distros..).

I've heard a lot of talk about Ubuntu. Other than that, OpenSUSE, Mandriva, and Linspire were recommended for me after running the Linux Distribution Chooser (http://www.zegeniestudios.net/ldc/).


All advice is greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[Tweakin]

I would recommend either (K)Ubuntu or OpenSUSE, both of which you mentioned. Probably Kubuntu, as you will have an easier time getting KDevelop setup right away. See this recent post (http://www.hardforum.com/showthread.php?t=1104962) about getting a decent/common start with (K)Ubuntu.

[Langford]

Plenty of good ones. I would have to vote for Kubuntu or Ubuntu.
http://kubuntu.org/
http://ubuntu.com/

[LoStMaTt]

IMHO Macs are way better for Computer Science students. There is a built in program I believe for Unix programmers in OSX. I'll ask my neighbor what he uses on his Mac.

[CC_Pirate]

Thanks boys, looks like I'll be looking into Kubuntu, although I don't completely understand the difference between Kubuntu and Ubuntu.

LoStMaTt: I know Macs are decent for the purpose but they suck for everything else I need my computer for. A PC with Unix platform is far better.

Thanks!

[Lestang]

The only real difference between Kubuntu and Ubuntu is Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop and Kubuntu uses KDE. other than that they are basically the same. I would also suggest Mepis and Zenwalk also.

[NordicRX8]

I ran that Linux Distrobution chooser and it picked...

Ubuntu
Mandriva
Debian
OpenSUSE

Ubuntu LTS is a great distro. I'm new to Linux as well and over the last 4 months have tried various distros, and always went back to Ubuntu. Debian was good, but since Ubuntu is based off Debian... Mandriva was not my cup of tea, OpenSUSE is bloated (go figure Novell). I also tried Fedora Core 5 (bloated too), and PuppyLinux.

Don't forget about Xubuntu (great for older systems.... very minimal install)

[iroc409]

IMHO Macs are way better for Computer Science students. There is a built in program I believe for Unix programmers in OSX. I'll ask my neighbor what he uses on his Mac.

whoa... when did that happen?

[cudaman73]

Just took the test myself. I'm installing Ubuntu 6.06.1 on my laptop (older dell inspiron) right now.

It suggested Debian, (K)Ubuntu, Fedora, or Mandriva.

Ubuntu's live cd environment is having a hell of a time running on my laptop (it's an inpsiron 500m, if that gives you an idea of how old it is).

I'm 34% on the latest Xubuntu iso... Might try that one out. I'm not a HUGE fan of XFCE, though.

I'm surprised, though. Apparently the Ubuntu LiveCD picked up my onboard wifi no problem (it's running a centrino processor, you know, integrated wireless and all that).

I originally stopped using Ubuntu with the initial release of dapper, because I had all sorts of problems getting it to work. Now that i've come back to it, dapper seems to have picked up the slack.

Let's hope edgy doesn't have the same problems, eh? :P

[As I Lay Dying]

I am using edgy right now, amazing........and fast.

[cudaman73]

I am using edgy right now, amazing........and fast.

lovely. the ubuntu live cd raped my laptop when i tried to run the 'install' app.

simplymepis can't mount /dev/loop0 (invalid argument)

and xubuntu can't read the boot cd.

dude, when i have linux problems, they're serious.

EDIT:
Going to try downloading the alternate cd for xubuntu 6.06.

also may try xubuntu's 6.10 alternate. i dunno.
/EDIT

[As I Lay Dying]

lovely. the ubuntu live cd raped my laptop when i tried to run the 'install' app.

simplymepis can't mount /dev/loop0 (invalid argument)

and xubuntu can't read the boot cd.

dude, when i have linux problems, they're serious.

EDIT:
Going to try downloading the alternate cd for xubuntu 6.06.

also may try xubuntu's 6.10 alternate. i dunno.
/EDIT

yeah be warned, edgy is still beta, right, so the install app can be dumb, I had a small problem with the ubuntu alternate disc my, setup that wouldn't install, if I said I picked canada as my location, and picked my keyboard as an american keyboard layout. grrr...

And the edgy live disc wont boot in either live, or graphic safemode on my main machine.

Btw I created my own edgy live disc to use on my moms laptop, and edgy has had no problems running on her laptop but I never tried the install app, but edgy should be released very soon as a stable release if you wanna hold out a bit more.

Oh btw I am using edgy on both of my machines, xubuntu on the slower machine. Both work great.

[nullzero]

Mepis is good distro as well. www.mepis.org

[cudaman73]

yeah be warned, edgy is still beta, right, so the install app can be dumb.

-_- the Ubuntu alternate cd couldn't copy xfsutils (which isn't a problem, don't use xfs) over, said it was corrupted, and couldn't install initramfs (which i don't think is a problem, other than it passes the 'install the base system' setting to failed, so i can't skip over it).

66% on the edgy livecd. should i try the alternate install first, do ya think?

[cudaman73]

Update, for those who are following.

the XUbuntu 6.10 live cd works! boots fine, install app runs okay (so far, at least, i'm copying files to the hd as i type).

If that fails (and, given the way tonight's been going, it'll fail), i've got the alternate cd downloading on my main box right now.

if THAT fails, i'm going to give up on linux and become a mac using hermit.

[Tweakin]

I have never had much success using the 'Install app' (shortcut on livecd desktop) with any of the assorted versions. I have never really looked into why though, because the 'alternate' text based install has always worked for me.

[Tweakin]

IMHO Macs are way better for Computer Science students. There is a built in program I believe for Unix programmers in OSX. I'll ask my neighbor what he uses on his Mac.

Sounds like some good solid input, very informative ;)

OSX is great for developing for OSX.

[HHunt]

I study CS [1], and the people I've met with macs are quite happy with using OS X for all their programming. So yes, macs are a good choice for a CS student.
After all, you can install the same tools as in linux, so at worst it's on par with it. ;)

(Personally, I use a thinkpad and FreeBSD.)


[1] Informatics, actually. Close enough.

[As I Lay Dying]

acctually the reason why linux is used because schools teach you ansi c or what ever language is because its alot easier, to setup and install the compilers and development tools, for free. The same could be done with windows but you would have to setup the microsoft c compiler to use ansi, and no microsoft specific calls, etc. etc.

And all the software development I had to do in my cs classes were in linux, except for java, cause it doesnt matter what os thats written and compiled in, and one assignment in operating systems was done in bsd, but we only had to benchmark the kernel. And in my engineering design 2 class, we had to write a small application in windows, using microsofts dev, suite.

[Lestang]

I vote for Zenwalk. its very fast and stable.

[CC_Pirate]

I opted for Kubuntu and its looking nice.

With no Linux experienced I was surprised how "manual" Linux is. However I like it, and realize how stable it is.

I have succesfully installed ATI drivers, Firefox and a few other apps, but I am still trying to understand how the file system works, where programs are stored etc.
I just ordered a book to help me understand.

Thanks for all input.
cheerst

[cudaman73]

most executables are in /bin or /usr/bin :)

[As I Lay Dying]

This is true more executables are in /usr/bin/

but config files are usually .<application> in your home folder.

[Lestang]

Knoppix is a very good Distro also.